"I see him again at seven years old. Every time I watch him, he's seven years old again. There was more mess when he was seven," she said.

From an owl made from movie posters to a dolphins crafted from applesauce lids, Grant is breaking the mold and changing perceptions. He's also crafted a business, won awards and international recognition -- a career maybe put together piece by piece.

"I have a feeling Grant has a future in art," Julie Manier said.

Grant makes appearances at local schools, teaching young children that they too can paint by paper and create what he calls "cool-lages."